Social activist Nilbath Ch Marak from Williamnagar, in East Garo Hills, has written to the Chief Executive Member of the GHADC seeking the creation of an office of the council (including those for taxes, revenue, trading licences and land pattas) as well as a bench of the district council court.
In a letter yesterday, Marak stated that the purpose of creating a new district has been to bring the administration closer to the people. However, the lack of the abovementioned institutions in EGH has meant a burden to the people of the district as they have to travel to Tura to avail of these services of make tax payments.
“Most of the people of the district are economically weak and going to Tura for these services means them spending their time and meagre income in travel. The setting up of an office in Williamnagar will benefit even NGH and parts of SGH as it will be closer for these two districts as well,” said Marak through his memo.
He further moved for the setting up of the council court branch in Williamnagar, which he said could function two to three days a week for the benefit of people of EGH and nearby places.
“The council has been conferred with the power by the Indian Constitution to try cases wherein both the parties are tribals. Most civil cases, like maintenance cases, divorce, succession, land disputes, titles are civil in nature and are transferred by the district courts to Tura as it involves people from the scheduled tribe. This also means that people have to travel to Tura for hearing in these cases,” he said justifying the need for a council court branch.
He opined that the GHADC possessed enough land in the district that could facilitate the setting up of both the office establishment as well as one for the court. Most of these lands and infrastructures have been rented out, mentioning even the Williamnagar Municipal Office.
“The purpose of creating a new district will be defeated if these offices cannot be set up in Williamnagar. It will become a boon if the same is done for the people of the district,” felt Marak.
